Peak national industry lobby group Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has called for investment in new tourism products and experiences in Australia to help revitalise domestic tourism.
The June quarter National Visitor Survey shows overnight visitor numbers for the year ending June 2010 fell by 1.0 per cent, with visitor nights up 0.4 per cent and total spending up 1.9 per cent.
However, compared to the year ending June 2008, domestic overnight trips in Australia were down 8.1 per cent, with visitor nights down 7.6 per cent and spending 4.2 per cent lower.
TTF managing director Chris Brown said the figures show the need for a supply-side focus.
Marketing and promotion alone were not enough, he said. “We have to ensure we have the right mix of quality products and experiences on offer.
“This will not only help to attract visitors from overseas, but will also encourage more Australians to holiday at home.
“Government can play its part by increasing funding for tourism infrastructure and pulling the right regulatory levers to expedite tourism product development.”
Brown said the gap between the number of Australians travelling overseas and international visitors coming to Australia, “is getting so big that we estimate the tourism trade deficit could be as high as $9 billion this financial year”. â€
